Queensway Carleton Hospital interested in developing transitional housing on federal land, MP says
Article content
Kaite Burkholder Harris, the executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, said there is obvious potential of such a housing project near an Ottawa hospital, and that the link between healthcare and housing is 'so clear.'
Article content
In 2022-2023, patients in Canadian hospitals, who were also experiencing homelessness, had an average stay of 15.4 days, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The national average was eight days.
Article content
Burkholder Harris pointed to Dunn House, a social medicine housing initiative in Toronto, as a potential model for the Ottawa project. The development is a four-storey modular building on land owned by the University Health Network.
Article content
It has 51 units for unhoused people who were frequently admitted to the hospital.
Article content
Burkholder Harris said there is a 'good opportunity' for the Queensway Carleton Hospital to follow the lead of Dunn House, which was the first facility of its kind in the country, according to the University Health Network.
Article content
Article content
'I think it's really demonstrated the value of being able to provide really deeply supportive housing, but with a healthcare lens, and if it's close to the hospital like that, it makes a huge difference too in terms of the access to services,' she said.
Article content
Cheryl Forchuk, a health researcher at Western University, said that those who experience homelessness age more rapidly and often accumulate chronic illnesses to the point that 'you would think I was talking to a geriatric population.'
Article content
Stress caused by a lack of secure housing leads to higher rates of arthritis, lung disease and even early onset dementia, Forchuk said.
Article content
It's why Forchuck has advocated for permanent housing solutions rather than mere transitional housing, which she says is a stop-gap measure.
Article content
'Transitional housing is not a home, and so ultimately, people need homes,' said Forchuk, who studies the link between housing and homelessness.
Article content
Article content
Vandenbeld said the hospital has begun developing its proposal, but it's unclear whether it has submitted it to the federal government.
Article content
Moving forward, Vandenbeld said she wants to ensure the land is transferred to the hospital, which will be the first domino to fall before the discussion can turn towards partnerships and funding for the project.
Article content
She added that the sooner the land is committed to the hospital, the easier it will be to string partnerships together for development.
Article content
'It's very hard to get any funding to build when you don't actually have a commitment on the land, right?' Vandenbeld said.
Article content
There is also a second adjacent property in the federal land bank at 1730 Robertson Rd., which Vandenbeld said could be of interest to the hospital for another project later down the road. For, now her focus has been on bringing the first project to fruition.
Article content
'It's going to be a challenge to find all the pieces and put them together,' Vandenbeld said. 'But looking at who is already committed on this, I'm very optimistic about it.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
12 hours ago
- Global News
Smoke from Canadian wildfires brings unhealthy air to large swaths of the Midwest
Smoke from Canadian wildfires hovered over several Midwestern states Saturday, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for at least the third day. Air quality alerts were in effect in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as eastern Nebraska and parts of Indiana and Illinois. Forecasters said the smoky skies would remain for much of the day. People with lung disease, heart disease, children, older adults and pregnant women are most susceptible to the poor breathing conditions. Canadian environmental officials said smoke from forest fires that was causing reduced visibility and poor quality would persist into Sunday for some areas. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQAir, which assesses air quality in real time, listed the city of Minneapolis as having some of the worst air pollution in the world since Friday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the red or unhealthy category in a large swath of Minnesota and will likely remain through Saturday. AQI is a system used to communicate how much air pollution is in the air. It breaks pollution down into six categories and colors, and advice on what isn't safe to do. They range from 'good' (the color green) to 'hazardous' (maroon). Story continues below advertisement The smoke could start to decline beginning Saturday before spreading as far south as Tennessee and Missouri. The air could remain unhealthy for sensitive groups through Monday, state health officials said. The EPA's Air Quality Index converts all pollutant levels into a single number. The lower the number, the better. Anything below 50 is classified as 'healthy.' Fifty to 100 is 'moderate' while 100-150 is unhealthy for 'sensitive groups.' Anything above 150 is bad for everyone. Parts of Minnesota exceeded that number on Saturday. Health officials advise people with asthma and other lung disease, heart disease, children and older adults to avoid prolonged exposure to smoke and limit strenuous activities. They said to avoid burning things that could make the air pollution worse, and keep windows and doors closed to keep the smoke from getting inside.
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Smoke from Canadian wildfires brings unhealthy air to large swaths of the Midwest
Smoke from Canadian wildfires hovered over several Midwestern states Saturday, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for at least the third day. Air quality alerts were in effect in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as eastern Nebraska and parts of Indiana and Illinois. Forecasters said the smoky skies would remain for much of the day. People with lung disease, heart disease, children, older adults and pregnant women are most susceptible to the poor breathing conditions. Canadian environmental officials said smoke from forest fires that was causing reduced visibility and poor quality would persist into Sunday for some areas. The Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQAir, which assesses air quality in real time, listed the city of Minneapolis as having some of the worst air pollution in the world since Friday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the red or unhealthy category in a large swath of Minnesota and will likely remain through Saturday. AQI is a system used to communicate how much air pollution is in the air. It breaks pollution down into six categories and colors, and advice on what isn't safe to do. They range from 'good' (the color green) to 'hazardous' (maroon). The smoke could start to decline beginning Saturday before spreading as far south as Tennessee and Missouri. The air could remain unhealthy for sensitive groups through Monday, state health officials said. The EPA's Air Quality Index converts all pollutant levels into a single number. The lower the number, the better. Anything below 50 is classified as 'healthy.' Fifty to 100 is 'moderate' while 100-150 is unhealthy for 'sensitive groups.' Anything above 150 is bad for everyone. Parts of Minnesota exceeded that number on Saturday. Health officials advise people with asthma and other lung disease, heart disease, children and older adults to avoid prolonged exposure to smoke and limit strenuous activities. They said to avoid burning things that could make the air pollution worse, and keep windows and doors closed to keep the smoke from getting inside. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP's environmental coverage, visit
Global News
14 hours ago
- Global News
Canada has its 1st case of West Nile this year. Here's what to know about the virus
Confirmation of the first human case of West Nile virus acquired in Canada this year arrived just in time for the August long weekend. The Public Health Agency of Canada said Thursday that an adult in Toronto with no travel history has been infected with the mosquito-borne virus. There had previously been two people with West Nile virus in Canada, but they were infected while travelling outside the country. Here's what you need to know about West Nile virus as you head outdoors this weekend. WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS? The first human case of West Nile virus appeared in Canada in 2002. The virus was originally identified in the West Nile region of Uganda, said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at the University Health Network in Toronto, but was carried to many places around the world by migratory birds. Story continues below advertisement When mosquitoes bite infected birds, they in turn become infected and then can pass on the virus to humans and other animals when they bite them. The type of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus usually bite around dusk and at night, Bogoch said. Human infections usually occur in mid to late summer, petering out as the temperature cools down. The Public Health Agency of Canada says humans don't spread the virus to other humans, except for very rare cases including blood transfusions, organ or tissue transplants, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The vast majority of people who are bitten by a mosquito harbouring West Nile virus will have no symptoms whatsoever,' said Bogoch. For the 20 to 30 per cent of people who get sick, most will have a few days of symptoms that resolve on their own. Symptoms usually begin between two and 14 days after the mosquito bite. They can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, swollen lymph glands and a stiff neck. The concerning part of West Nile virus is that up to two per cent of people infected will get neuroinvasive disease, including encephalitis or meningitis, Bogoch said. Story continues below advertisement Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and meningitis is inflammation of the area around the brain and spinal cord. In 'very rare' cases, people can also develop paralysis, he said. Although anyone can get these severe West Nile virus infections, they tend to happen more in older adults, Bogoch said. HOW IS WEST NILE VIRUS TREATED? There is no antiviral medication to treat West Nile virus. Most people won't need medical attention and can manage aches and pains with over-the-counter acetaminophen, rest and fluids. For the rare cases of neuroinvasive diseases, hospitals provide supportive care, including fluids and electrolytes, and provide rehabilitation if needed. IS THERE A VACCINE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS? There is no vaccine for West Nile virus. HOW CAN I PREVENT WEST NILE VIRUS? The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid being bitten by a mosquito in the first place. Using insect repellent is 'very effective,' Bogoch said. Both Bogoch and the Public Health Agency of Canada recommend using bug sprays and lotions containing the chemicals DEET or Icaridine. Health Canada says those products should not be used on infants under six months old and parents can use mosquito nets over cribs or strollers when babies are outside instead. Story continues below advertisement Wearing long sleeves and long pants, socks and a hat can also protect against mosquito bites. People can also wear mosquito nets over their hats. Choose light-coloured clothing, because mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Making sure all open windows have screens to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out is important. Getting rid of any standing water around your home or cottage also helps because that's where mosquitoes lay eggs. Drain buckets, planters, old tires, pool covers, wading pools and other objects where water accumulates. HOW COMMON IS IT? The number of reported cases annually varies greatly since PHAC started tracking domestic infections in 2003, ranging from a handful of cases per year to a peak of 2,401 cases in 2007. In 2024, there were 166 reported cases, according to PHAC's preliminary data. 'For most Canadians, the risk of getting infected is low because relatively few mosquitoes in Canada are infected with West Nile virus,' said Mark Johnson, a spokesperson for PHAC, in an email Friday.
